Multiplayer voting game and method for conducting a multiplayer voting game

ABSTRACT

The invention broadly comprises a method for conducting a multiplayer game, including: transmitting a plurality of voting options; accepting votes from respective players via respective telecommunication devices, the votes selecting voting options from the plurality of voting options; ranking the voting options according to the votes; identifying a player who voted for a predetermined designation of the voting options; assigning a prize to the player; and notifying the player. The telecommunication devices can be cellular telephones, computers connected to the Internet, or land line telephones. In some aspects, the method: transmits another plurality of voting options; accepts other votes selecting a voting option from the other plurality of voting options; ranks the other voting options according to the other votes; identifies another player voting for another predetermined designation; assigns another prize to the other player; and notifies the other player. The steps are performed by a specially programmed general-purpose computer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to computer-based multiplayer pollinggames and in particular to a multiplayer game and method in whichplayers are polled using telecommunication devices. Even moreparticularly, the invention relates to a game in which players votingfor a predetermined voting option are rewarded and the awards increasefor successive successful votes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,010 (Katz et al.) discloses multi-level games ofchance where a gambler has multiple choices at each level, and a gamecontroller decides which choice is the winning choice for each level.U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0026697 (Balahura etal.) discloses a system, computer product and method for enablingmulti-player gaming on a wireless device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,334(Yoseloff) discloses a method of playing a multi-stage video wageringgame, in which a player can reach higher profit categories by winning ina current profit category. However, none of the preceding referencesdisclose a multiplayer game of chance where a winning option isdetermined by voting for specific options.

Thus, there is a long-felt need to provide a multiplayer polling gameaccepting votes regarding a winning option from a list of votingoptions, using telecommunication devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly comprises a method for conducting a multiplayergame, including the steps of: accepting first respective votes fromfirst respective players via first respective telecommunication devices,the first respective votes selecting first respective voting optionsfrom a first plurality of voting options; ranking the first plurality ofvoting options according to the first respective votes; and identifyinga first player from the first respective players who voted for a firstpredetermined designation of the first plurality of voting options. Thesteps of accepting, ranking, and identifying are performed by ageneral-purpose computer specially programmed to perform the steps ofaccepting, ranking, and identifying.

In some aspects, the method includes transmitting the first plurality ofvoting options and the step of transmitting is performed by thegeneral-purpose computer. In some aspects, transmitting the firstplurality of voting options includes transmitting the first plurality ofvoting options to at least a portion of the first respectivetelecommunication devices. In some aspects, the first predetermineddesignation is a predefined ranking among the first plurality of votingoptions and transmitting the first plurality of voting options includestransmitting the predefined ranking. In some aspects, the methodincludes notifying the first player and the step of notifying performedby the general-purpose computer. In some aspects, notifying the firstplayer includes notifying via the first respective telecommunicationdevices.

In some aspects, the method includes assigning a first award to thefirst player and the step of assigning performed by the general-purposecomputer. In some aspects, the method includes providing a displayaccessible to the first respective players, the display listing thefirst first player and the step of providing a display is performed bythe general-purpose computer.

In some aspects, the method includes: transmitting a second plurality ofvoting options; accepting second respective votes from second respectiveplayers via second respective telecommunication devices, the secondrespective votes selecting second respective voting options from thesecond plurality of voting options; ranking the second plurality ofvoting options according to the second respective votes; identifying asecond player from among the second respective players who voted for asecond predetermined designation of the voting options; assigning asecond award to the player; and notifying the second player. The stepsof transmitting, accepting, ranking, identifying, assigning, andnotifying are performed by the general-purpose computer. In someaspects, the second award is greater when the second player selected thefirst predetermined designation. In some aspects, the first and secondpluralities of voting options are for sequential rounds of the game.

The invention also broadly comprises a method for conducting amultiplayer game, including: in each round of a sequence of rounds,transmitting respective pluralities of voting options; acceptingrespective votes from respective players via respectivetelecommunication devices, the respective votes selecting respectivevoting options from the respective plurality of voting options; rankingthe respective pluralities of voting options according to respectivenumbers of votes cast for the respective voting option; identifying arespective player voting for a respective predetermined designation ofsaid respective voting options; assigning a respective award to therespective player, where the respective reward increases for therespective player according to a number of consecutive rounds in thesequence of rounds in which the respective player selects the respectivepredetermined designation; and notifying the respective player. Thesteps of transmitting, accepting, ranking, identifying, assigning, andnotifying are performed by a general-purpose computer speciallyprogrammed to perform the steps of transmitting, accepting, ranking,identifying, assigning, and notifying.

The invention further broadly comprises a computer-based system forconducting a multiplayer game, including: a receiving element arrangedto accept first respective votes from first respective players via firstrespective telecommunication devices, the first respective votesselecting first respective voting options from the first plurality ofvoting options; a ranking element arranged to rank the first pluralityof voting options according to the first respective votes; and anidentifying element arranged to identify a first player among the firstrespective players who voted for a first predetermined designation ofthe voting options. The receiving, ranking, and identifying elements areincluded in at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer.

In some aspects, the system includes a transmitting element arranged totransmit the first plurality of voting options and the transmittingelement is included in the at least one specially programmed computer.In some aspects, the transmitting element is arranged to transmit thefirst plurality of voting options to at least a portion of the firstrespective telecommunication devices. In some aspects, the firstpredetermined designation of is a predefined ranking among the firstplurality of voting options and the transmitting element is arranged totransmit the predefined ranking.

In some aspects, the system includes an assignment element arranged toassign a first award to the first player and the assignment element islocated in the specially programmed computer. In some aspects, thesystem includes a notifying element arranged to notify the first playerand the notifying element is located in the specially programmedcomputer. In some aspects, the system includes a displaying elementarranged to provide a listing regarding the first player and thedisplaying element located in the specially programmed computer.

In some aspects, the transmitting element is arranged to transmit asecond plurality of voting options; the receiving element is arranged toaccept second respective votes from second respective players via secondrespective telecommunication devices, the second respective votesselecting second respective voting options from the second plurality ofvoting options; the ranking element is arranged to rank the secondplurality of voting options according to the second respective votes;the identifying element is arranged to identify a second player from thesecond respective players who voted for a second predetermineddesignation of the voting options; the assignment element is arranged toassign a second award to the second player; and the notifying element isarranged to notify the second player. In some aspects, the second awardis greater when the second player voted for the first predetermineddesignation. In some aspects, the first and second pluralities of votingoptions are for sequential rounds of the game.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a pollinggame using telecommunication devices to communicate with players.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciable from the following description of preferredembodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a present invention computer-basedsystem for conducting a multi-player polling game;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the sequence of rounds in apresent invention system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of sorting voting results for around in a present invention system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of player categories;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a present invention method forconducting a multiplayer game; and,

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a present invention method forconducting a multiplayer game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers ondifferent drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,structural elements of the invention. While the present invention isdescribed with respect to what is presently considered to be thepreferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimedis not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular methodology, materials and modifications described and assuch may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only,and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, whichis limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devicesor materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be usedin the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods,devices, and materials are now described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of present invention computer-based system10 for conducting a multi-player polling game. System 10 includes atransmitting, or transmission, element 12, receiving element 14, rankingelement 16, and identification, or identifying, element 18. Thetransmitting element is arranged to transmit a plurality of votingoptions 20. The receiving element is arranged to accept respective votes22 from respective players 24 via respective telecommunication devices26. It should be understood that a player may be a human being or othersentient being or may be an automated function. For example, a personcan vote using a telecommunication device, or a telecommunication devicecould be programmed to vote without further intervention from a person.Each respective vote selects a respective voting option from theplurality of voting options. The ranking element is arranged to rank theplurality of voting options according to the respective votes. Forexample, the option receiving the most votes is ranked first, the optionreceiving the fewest votes is ranked last, and any remaining options areranked accordingly.

Element 18 is arranged to identify respective players who voted for apredetermined designation of the voting options, also referred to as thepredetermined voting option. In general, the designation relates to astatus of the voting options once the voting is complete. The votingdetermines which voting option meets the criterion of the predetermineddesignation as further described infra. In some aspects, element 18 islocated in element 16. In some aspects (not shown), the transmitting andreceiving elements are included in a transceiving element. Thetransmitting, receiving, ranking, and identifying elements are includedin at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer 28.

In some aspects, the transmitting element is arranged to transmit theplurality of voting options to at least a portion of telecommunicationdevices 26. However, it should be understood that voting options can betransmitted to any receiving or transceiving device known in the art,and that such transmitting is included in the spirit and scope of theclaimed invention. In some aspects, the transmitting element is arrangedto transmit to telecommunication device 26 a among telecommunicationdevices 26 and the receiving element is arranged to accept a voteregarding the voting options from device 26 a. That is, a same devicereceives the options and is used to vote on the options. In someaspects, the transmitting element is arranged to transmit to device 26 bamong devices 26 and the receiving element is arranged to accept a votefrom a different device 26 c among devices 26, regarding the votingoptions transmitted to device 26 b. In some aspects devices 26 are oneor more cellular telephones, computers connected to the Internet, orland line telephones. However, it should be understood that anytelecommunication device known in the art can be used with system 10 andthat the use of such devices is included within the spirit and scope ofthe claimed invention.

In some aspects, the predetermined designation is a predefined rankingamong the plurality of voting options. That is, the predetermined optionwill be which ever voting option ends up having the predefined rankingamong the plurality of voting options, for example, the option receivingthe second-most votes. In some aspects, transmitting element 12 isarranged to transmit the predefined ranking and/or the predefinedranking is transmitted with the plurality of voting options.

In some aspects, system 10 includes notification element 29 arranged tonotify players voting for the predetermined designation. In general,element 29 is located in computer 28. In some aspects (not shown),element 29 is part of another element, such as the ranking element, thereceiving element, or the transmitting element. In some aspects, element29 is arranged to notify via said telecommunication devices 26. That is,notifications are sent by the notifying element to devices 26. In someaspects, notifications are only sent to devices 26 associated with theplayers who voted for the predetermined voting option. In some aspects,system 10 includes display element 30 arranged to display respectiveplayers who voted for a predetermined voting option. Display element 30is generally accessible to game players. The identification of playerscan be masked, for example, players can be user names and passwords.Thus, element 29 actively notifies players and display element 30provides a more passive form of notification.

In some aspects, system 10 includes award assignment element 32 arrangedto assign a first award or reward, associated with the predetermineddesignation, to the players voting for the option satisfying thepredetermined designation. Element 32 is located in computer 28. In someaspects, the notifying element is arranged to notify the playersregarding the first award or the display element is arranged to displayinformation regarding the first award.

In some aspects, system 10 is arranged to assign players to categoriesaccording to their votes. For example, in some aspects, each of theplayers who voted for the predetermined designation is assigned to afirst category and the remaining players who did not vote for thepredetermined designation are assigned to a second category.

As further described below, the game can be played in rounds. Theprocess described above is applicable for each round. It should beunderstood that voting options 20 may be the same in each or some of therounds or may vary among rounds. It is clear that players 24 and devices26 participating in a round are outside the system and may vary fromround to round, and consequently, respective votes 22 may vary fromround to round.

It is possible that one or more players who vote for the predeterminedvoting option in a successive round of the game also voted for thepredetermined voting option in an earlier round of the game. Then, insome aspects, the award for the players in the successive round isgreater. That is, the award for winning in multiple rounds is greaterthan the award for winning in only one round. In some aspects, themultiple rounds are at least two sequential rounds of the game.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the sequence of rounds in presentinvention system 10. The following provides further details regarding apresent invention computer-based system for conducting a multiplayergame. In general, the game is played in repeated rounds 52 of voting,although it is possible for a game to consist of a single round ofvoting (not shown). The system is not limited to any particular numberof rounds. Each round lasts for a particular time period during whichplayers become aware of a list of options for voting. For example round52 a has time duration 54. The system is not limited to any particulartime period

Time periods between different rounds can be different. For example,period 56 between rounds 52 a and 52 b can be different or the same asperiod 58 between rounds 52 a and 52 c . During a round, each playerchooses one of the available options and votes according to the rules ofthe game. At the end of the round the list of options is sortedaccording to the player's votes. The option that has a predefined orderin the sorted list is the wining option. The players who have selected(voted for) the winning option are the winners of the round. The prize aplayer gets after a win depends on the number of his/her successivewins. The bigger the number of successive wins the greater the prize.

In some aspects, the system is conducted by a game provider. The gameprovider is responsible for determine the game rules, for example, thenumber of rounds, to tune game parameters, and to inform the public ofthe rules of the game. The provider announces a poll, collects answersfrom the players, makes out the final result, and informs the playersregarding the results of the poll.

The game is played in repeated rounds of voting, for example, rounds 52a through 52 c. A round of the game is a time period, during which apoll takes place, that is, during which votes are accepted by the systemregarding the voting options. The duration of a round is predeterminedby the game provider. Before each round, the provider determines thelist of options for the current poll and the rank of the winning option.During the round players become aware of the list of options of thecurrent poll and send their vote to the game provider. After each round,votes are processed and players participating in that particular roundare informed of the results of the round. After a predetermined idletime period the next round begins.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of sorting voting results for around in present invention system 10. The following should be viewed inlight of FIGS. 1 through 3. Before the beginning of each round the gameprovider determines the list of options, or, the list of voting options,for the current poll, for example, list 20 a. This list consists of atleast two options. The number of options may vary between the differentrounds or it can be fixed. This decision is made by the game providerand is part of the game's rules. It should be understood that the systemis not limited to a particular number of options in a round or to anyproportion or relationship of numbers of options among the rounds in agame. The list of options is announced by means that are decided by thegame provider. The list of options can include anything known in theart, including, but not limited to words, numbers, graphicrepresentations, or expressions regarding a same subject or unrelatedsubjects. A game player can be considered as a person who has subscribedto the system, in particular, a game. In each round, a particular playercan be active or idle. Active players are those players who have votedduring a particular round. The remaining players (those not voting inthe round) are considered to be idle.

Game players can participate in a game within the system in a number ofways supported by the game provider. The players become aware of thelist of options for a certain round of the game and vote using a votingmethod supported by the game provider. In some aspects, a player cannotvote twice during the same round and only the first vote submitted by acertain player is counted. A player votes during the period of aspecific round, for example, during duration 54 for round 52 a. In someaspects, each vote is valid only for the round during which the vote wassubmitted. Each vote is recorded and correlated to the player castingthe vote. At the end of each round, votes are processed and poll results70 are formulated. That is, each option is assigned the number of votescast for the option.

At the end of each round, ranking element 16 sorts the votes, forexample in ascending order, according to the votes cast for the playersfor the various options to form list 72. In some aspects, first position74 in the ordered list is the option that accumulated the largest numberof votes and last position 76 in the ordered list is the option thataccumulated the fewest votes. The numbers shown in list 72 are forpurposes of illustration only. It should be understood that otherordering schemes are included in the spirit and scope of the claimedinvention. Before the beginning of a particular round, the game providerannounces winning option 78, also referred to as the predeterminedvoting option supra. In some aspects, the winning option is correlatedwith a position in the sorted list, for example position 80 (3^(rd)position in poll results). It should be understood that any positionamong the list of voting options can be selected as the predeterminedwinning position and that different rounds can have the same ordifferent predetermined winning positions. A game player who hasselected the winning option is a round winner. It should be understoodthat in each round, there can be a plurality winners. The winningposition can be changed for the next round or it can stay the same. Insome aspects, the winning option is solely determined by the players'votes, that is, the ranking is solely dependent on the number of votesreceived by the various voting options.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of player categories 82. In someaspects, the game includes a plurality of winner categories, the numberof which is determined by the game provider. A player is eligible for aparticular category according to the game history of the player, forexample, the number of successive wins enjoyed by a player during roundsof the game he voted. For example, a player with one win is in firstcategory 84 and a player with three successive wins in third category86. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited toany particular number or type of categories or any particular scheme forassigning players to categories. The shaded portions of a category, forexample, portion 87 in category 86, represent the players who voted forthe predetermined designation in the current round. It should beunderstood that FIG. 4 is provided only for purposes of illustration andis non-limiting.

In some aspects, players who are playing for the first time or who didnot win in the last poll in which they participated, are in initial orzero category 88. For example, path 90 shows movement from category 84to category 88 for players in category 84 who participated in a roundand did not select the predetermined winning option for the round. Aftereach round, the round winners move to the next category. For example,path 92 shows movement from category 88 to category 84. The remainingplayers, those who voted for other than the predetermined option, areplaced in initial category 88. A player not voting in a particular poll(an idle player) remains in the category to which they were assignedbefore that poll.

In some aspects, a reward, award, or basket, is associated with one ormore of the categories for a round. The players that move to a categoryafter a win, are eligible to win the basket for that category. Playersthat have been assigned to a category in a previous round, but do notparticipate in a current round are not eligible for the basketassociated with the current round. In some aspects, a player reachingthe last category, for example, category 96 is assigned to the initialcategory. That is, there is a cap on the number of categories.

A basket is not limited to any particular type or amount of contents.For example, a basket can contain money or goods, or may be empty. Thatis, the prize for reaching a category is the acknowledgement of havingreached that category. The contents of a basket can be shared by anymeans known in the art, and can be determined by the game provider, theplayers, or the game provider and players. In general, at least thebasket for the last category has a tangible award. In some aspects, if abasket contains money, the number of participants in each rounddetermines the amount of money that will be shared among the categoriesaccording to percentages set by the game provider. For example, if thereare eight categories one category could get a certain percent and theremaining categories, except for the initial category, receive equalpercentage of what is remaining. In some aspects, sponsors provide someor all of the contents of a basket.

Returning to FIG. 1, in some aspects, a player is identified accordingto the voting method used by the player. A player's identification isused by the game provider to keep a record of activity for the player,for example, rounds in which the player participates and/or wins. Insome aspects, the same player can vote by using different methods.However, each vote is correlated with the method used and is consideredby a present invention system as separate votes cast by separatepersons. For example, if player X votes for a same round using a cellphone and the Internet, the game counts the cell phone and Internetvotes as separate votes cast by separate players. Players that voteusing a mobile phone or a landline phone can be identified by thetelephone number. In some aspects, system 10 includes registrationelement 98 for players that vote using the Internet. Element 98 createsrespective personal accounts for Internet players and can be used forthe identification of a particular player. In some aspects, to claim areward, a winning player must provide clear evidence of identification.

In some aspects, each player is associated with a player profit account.An account can be created in the following non-limiting ways accordingto the voting method used by that player. Mobile telephone: a player isidentified and the account created the first time the player sends amessage from their mobile telephone. This message could be a vote, arequest for a list of options, a credit charging message or any othermessage supported by the game provider. Landline telephone: a player isidentified and the account created the first time the player votes fromtheir landline phone. Internet: a player registers for the game in a website by providing all the necessary information for theiridentification.

In some aspects, players are charged for participating in a game. Insome aspects, respective credit accounts are set up for players. Then,when a player votes (and the vote is valid) the amount of credits intheir credit account is reduced by the cost of one vote. The creditaccount can be loaded with credits in ways that are supported by thegame provider. If the player wins in a particular round and the prize ismoney, then their credit account can be automatically loaded from theirprofit account. Players are charged according to valid votes. Playersare not charged for votes outside of the valid round time period.

During a game, information can be exchanged between the provider and theplayers according to the voting method used by the player. Informationexchanges include, but are not limited to, the following examples shownin Table 1:

TABLE 1 Message from player Message from system to player Player asksfor the list of options for a poll Provider sends the list of optionsfor a poll Player votes for an option Provider informs the players ofthe results of a poll Player requests information about their Providerinforms the player about his/her accounts accounts Player charges creditaccount with credits Provider informs the player about his/her accountsPlayer requests information about contents of Provider informs theplayer about the contents baskets of baskets

The provider can include advertising information in the messages sent tothe players.

The game can be customized by tuning a set of parameters. Theseparameters include, but are not limited to: the duration of a round, thefrequency of the rounds, the number of winning categories, thepercentages that are assigned to each category, and the messagesexchanged between the provider and the players.

It should be understood that a present invention system is not limitedto the number, type, or configuration of elements and functions shown inthe figures and described above and that other numbers, types, andconfigurations of elements and functions are included within the spiritand scope of the claimed invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a present invention method forconducting a multiplayer game. Although the method in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 6below) is depicted as a sequence of numbered steps for clarity, no ordershould be inferred from the numbering unless explicitly stated. Themethod starts at Step 100. Step 102 transmits a first plurality ofvoting options. Step 104 accepts first respective votes from firstrespective players via first respective telecommunication devices, thefirst respective votes selecting first respective voting options fromthe first plurality of voting options. Step 106 ranks the firstplurality of voting options according to the first respective votes.Step 108 identifies a first player from among the first respectiveplayers who voted for a first predetermined designation of the votingoptions. Steps 102, 104, 106, and 108 are performed by a general-purposecomputer specially programmed to perform the steps.

In some aspects, the first predetermined designation is a predefinedranking among the first plurality of voting options and Step 102transmits the predefined ranking. In some aspects, Step 102 transmitsthe first plurality of voting options to at least a portion of the firstrespective telecommunication devices. In some aspects, Step 102transmits to a first telecommunication device among the first respectivetelecommunication devices and Step 104 accepts the first respectivevotes from the first telecommunication device. In some aspects, Step 102transmits to a second telecommunication device among the firstrespective telecommunication devices and Step 104 accepts the firstrespective votes from a third telecommunication device among the firstrespective telecommunication devices. In some aspects, the firstrespective telecommunication devices are selected from the groupconsisting of a cellular telephone, a computer connected to theInternet, and a land line telephone.

In some aspects, following Step 108, a further step notifies the firstplayer. In some aspects, the step notifies via the first respectivetelecommunication devices. In some aspects, following Step 108, afurther step provides a display accessible to the first respectiveplayers, the display listing the first player. The steps are performedby the general-purpose computer.

In some aspects, Step 110 assigns a first award to the first player. Thestep is performed by the general-purpose computer. In some aspects: Step112 transmits a second plurality of voting options; Step 114 acceptssecond respective votes from second respective players via secondrespective telecommunication devices, the second respective votesselecting second respective voting options from the second plurality ofvoting options; Step 116 ranks the second plurality of voting optionsaccording to the second respective votes; and Step 118 identifies asecond player from among the second respective players who voted for asecond predetermined designation of the voting options. Step 120 assignsa second award to the second player. The steps are performed by thegeneral-purpose computer. In some aspects, following Step 118, a furtherstep notifies the second player. The step is performed by thegeneral-purpose computer.

In some aspects, the second award is greater when the second player hasselected the first predetermined designation. In some aspects, the firstand second pluralities of voting options are for sequential rounds ofthe game.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a present invention method forconducting a multiplayer game. The method starts at Step 200. Step 202,in a sequence of rounds, transmits respective pluralities of votingoptions. Step 204, for each round, accepts respective votes fromrespective players via respective telecommunication devices, therespective votes selecting respective voting options from the respectiveplurality of voting options. Step 206, in each round, ranks therespective pluralities of voting options according to respective numbersof votes cast for the voting options. Step 208, in each round,identifies a respective player from among the respective players votingfor a respective predetermined designation of the respective votingoptions. Step 210, in each round, assigns a respective award to therespective player, the reward increasing according to a number ofconsecutive rounds in the sequence of rounds in which the respectiveplayer selects the respective predetermined designation. Step 212, ineach round, notifies the respective player. The steps are performed by ageneral-purpose computer specially programmed to perform the steps.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficientlyobtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should bereadily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed. Althoughthe invention is described by reference to a specific preferredembodiment, it is clear that variations can be made without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the invention as claimed.

1. A method for conducting a multiplayer game, comprising the steps of:accepting first respective votes from first respective players via firstrespective telecommunication devices, said first respective votesselecting first respective voting options from a first plurality ofvoting options; ranking said first plurality of voting options accordingto said first respective votes; and, identifying a first player fromsaid first respective players who voted for a first predetermineddesignation of said first plurality of voting options, wherein saidsteps of accepting, ranking, and identifying are performed by ageneral-purpose computer specially programmed to perform said steps ofaccepting, ranking, and identifying.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising transmitting said first plurality of voting options, whereinsaid step of transmitting is performed by said general-purpose computer.3. The method of claim 2 wherein transmitting said first plurality ofvoting options further comprises transmitting said first plurality ofvoting options to at least a portion of said first respectivetelecommunication devices.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said firstpredetermined designation is a predefined ranking among said firstplurality of voting options and wherein transmitting said firstplurality of voting options further comprises transmitting saidpredefined ranking.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprisingnotifying said first player, said step of notifying performed by saidgeneral-purpose computer.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein notifyingsaid first player further comprises notifying via said first respectivetelecommunication devices.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprisingassigning a first award to said first player, said step of assigningperformed by said general-purpose computer.
 8. The method of claim 1further comprising providing a display accessible to said firstrespective players, said display listing said first player, said step ofproviding a display performed by said general-purpose computer.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: transmitting a second plurality ofvoting options; accepting second respective votes from second respectiveplayers via second respective telecommunication devices, said secondrespective votes selecting second respective voting options from saidsecond plurality of voting options; ranking said second plurality ofvoting options according to said second respective votes; identifying asecond player from among said second respective players who voted for asecond predetermined designation of said voting options; assigning asecond award to said second player; and, notifying said second player,wherein said steps of transmitting, accepting, ranking, identifying,assigning, and notifying are performed by said general-purpose computer.10. The method of claim 9 wherein said second award is greater when saidsecond player voted for said first predetermined designation of saidfirst plurality of voting options.
 11. The method of claim 9 whereinsaid first and second pluralities of voting options are for sequentialrounds of said game.
 12. A method for conducting a multiplayer game,comprising the steps of: in a sequence of rounds, transmittingrespective pluralities of voting options; for each said round, acceptingrespective votes from respective players via respectivetelecommunication devices, said respective votes selecting respectivevoting options from said respective plurality of voting options; in saideach round, ranking said respective pluralities of voting optionsaccording to respective numbers of votes cast for said respective votingoptions; in said each round, identifying a respective player voting fora respective predetermined designation of said respective votingoptions; in said each round, assigning a respective award to saidrespective player, wherein said respective reward increases for saidrespective player according to a number of consecutive rounds in saidsequence of rounds in which said respective player selects saidrespective predetermined designation; and, in said each round, notifyingsaid respective player, wherein said steps of transmitting, accepting,ranking, identifying, assigning, and notifying are performed by ageneral-purpose computer specially programmed to perform said steps oftransmitting, accepting, ranking, identifying, assigning, and notifying.13. A computer-based system for conducting a multiplayer game,comprising: a receiving element arranged to accept first respectivevotes from first respective players via first respectivetelecommunication devices, said first respective votes selecting firstrespective voting options from said first plurality of voting options; aranking element arranged to rank said first plurality of voting optionsaccording to said first respective votes; and, an identifying elementarranged to identify a first player among said first respective playerswho voted for a first predetermined designation of said voting options,wherein said receiving, ranking, and identifying elements are includedin at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13 further comprising a transmitting element arranged totransmit said first plurality of voting options, wherein saidtransmitting element is included in said at least one speciallyprogrammed computer.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein saidtransmitting element is arranged to transmit said first plurality ofvoting options to at least a portion of said first respectivetelecommunication devices.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein said firstpredetermined designation of is a predefined ranking among said firstplurality of voting options and said transmitting element is arranged totransmit said predefined ranking.
 17. The system of claim 13 furthercomprising a first assignment element arranged to assign a first awardto said first player, said first assignment element located in saidspecially programmed computer.
 18. The system of claim 13 furthercomprising a first notifying element arranged to notify said firstplayer, said first notifying element located in said speciallyprogrammed computer.
 19. The system of claim 13 further comprising adisplaying element arranged to provide a listing regarding said firstplayer, said displaying element located in said specially programmedcomputer.
 20. The system of claim 13 further comprising a secondassignment element and a second notifying element; and, wherein: saidtransmitting element is arranged to transmit a second plurality ofvoting options; said receiving element is arranged to accept secondrespective votes from second respective players via second respectivetelecommunication devices, said second respective votes selecting secondrespective voting options from said second plurality of voting options;said ranking element is arranged to rank said second plurality of votingoptions according to said second respective votes; said identifyingelement is arranged to identify a second player from said secondrespective players who voted for a second predetermined designation ofsaid voting options; said second assignment element is arranged toassign a second award to said second player; and, said second notifyingelement is arranged to notify said second player.
 21. The system ofclaim 20 wherein said second award is greater when said second playervoted for a first predetermined designation of said voting options. 22.The system of claim 20 wherein said first and second pluralities ofvoting options are for sequential rounds of said game.